The United Nations (UN) has revealed that grave violations committed against children in Mali are increasing at an alarming rate.

The UN, through the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (OSRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict, said children in Mali are still bearing the brunt of political instability, increased violence against civilians, and a worsening human rights situation across the country.

Escalating intercommunal violence and an upsurge in activities of armed groups, including those designated as terrorist groups by the UN, has resulted in an increase in recruitment and use of children for attacks.

A total of 2,095 grave violations against 1,473 children were verified between April 2020, and March 2022, with the majority of violations unable to be attributed to a particular party to the conflict.

Most remaining violations (38 percent) were attributed to armed groups and six percent to Government security forces.

‘I am appalled to see an increasing trend of grave violations against children in Mali. Urgent and determined action is required of parties to protect children’, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said.

‘For children to maintain their rights, they must be released from armed groups and forces, and protected from other violations and abuses. But efforts cannot stop there.

‘Reintegrating children into society is also key to ensuring their sustained safety and futures’.

The UN office called on the government to discontinue the use of children by the armed forces in any capacity.

Photo source: UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General